The moon may not actually turn blue this May, but one beer brand is making sure fans still get the experience they’ve been promised for years. Ahead of the upcoming Blue Moon, Blue Moon Brewing Company is unveiling a striking blue version of its iconic beer for one weekend only, complete with a playful apology campaign and a specialty cocktail.
A rare blue moon calls for an even rarer beer experience this May
Despite its name, a blue moon rarely appears blue in the night sky — a fact that has inspired jokes, myths, and now a limited-edition beer release from Blue Moon Brewing Company. Leaning into the playful contradiction, the brewery announced that it will temporarily transform its signature beer into an actual bright blue beverage for one weekend only, giving fans a version of Blue Moon that finally matches its name. The promotion arrives ahead of May’s highly anticipated blue moon event, which traditionally refers to an extra full moon in a season or calendar cycle rather than a moon that physically changes color.
For three days, from May 29 through May 31 (the actual date of May’s blue moon), select bars across the United States will serve a specially reimagined version of Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale featuring a vivid blue hue. The colorful pour is designed to evoke the same festive energy as green beer celebrations around St. Patrick’s Day, but with a rarer celestial-inspired twist. Blue Moon’s signature Valencia orange garnish will still accompany the beer, creating a bold contrast that the company hopes will turn the astronomical moment into a social experience for beer lovers nationwide.
“We can’t do much about the color of the moon in the sky, but we can do something about the one in your glass. So for one weekend, we’re making Blue Moon, well … actually blue,” said Elizabeth Hitch, VP of Marketing, Above Premium Beer at Molson Coors Beverage Company. “Consider it us making good on a promise the night sky can never quite keep.”
The campaign also taps into the enduring popularity of the phrase “once in a blue moon,” which has long been used to describe something rare or unusual. By introducing a temporary blue-colored version of its flagship beer, the brand aims to turn that expression into a real-world event that fans can share together at bars and gatherings across the country. “We wanted to take a ‘once in a blue moon’ moment and turn it into something people can actually experience together over a great beer,” said Hitch.
Where to try Blue Moon’s rare blue brew
Beer enthusiasts aged 21 and older will have the chance to experience Blue Moon’s limited-edition blue-colored brew in more than 30 markets across the United States, marking a rare nationwide rollout of the seasonal promotion.
The activation spans major cities and regions nationwide, including Atlanta, Austin, Baton Rouge, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fayetteville, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles (covering Orange County, the Inland Empire, and LA Proper), Madison, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Haven, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Oxford, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and the Treasure Coast.
The brand has also launched a dedicated interactive tracker. Patrons can head to bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/en-US/lunarbluemoon to pinpoint exact participating bars and venues within their local zip codes before making the trek.
Celebrate the Blue Moon at home with this specialty cocktail
Prefer staying in? Blue Moon Brewing Company is giving fans another way to take part in the celebration at home with a themed cocktail designed to match the occasion. Alongside its limited bar rollout, the brand is spotlighting “Bright Side of the Moon,” a specialty drink that lets beer lovers recreate a colorful, blue-inspired experience without leaving their kitchens.
The cocktail blends Blue Moon Belgian White with fruity, citrus-forward ingredients to create a vibrant, slightly tart profile. It’s positioned as both a playful extension of the “blue beer” concept and an easy DIY alternative for those who want to join the moment beyond participating venues.
Here is how to shake up this cosmic creation at home:
Ingredients
- 4 oz Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale
- 1 oz Blue Raspberry Moonshine
- 1 oz Blue Raspberry Syrup
- 25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Garnishes
- 1 Fresh Valencia Orange Wheel
Method
- In a cocktail-shaking tin filled with ice, combine the blue raspberry moonshine, blue raspberry syrup, and fresh lemon juice
- Shake vigorously until chilled, then gently pour in the Blue Moon Belgian White (give it a light stir to integrate without losing the carbonation).
- Strain and pour the electric-blue mixture into an iced pint glass, then crown it with the iconic orange wheel.